Parade Stories – Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Category: Parade Stories

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Returns for Its 91st Year — A Dazzling Celebration of Culture, Music & Community

Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CT State Street, Chicago — Parade Route: Ida B. Wells Drive → Randolph Street

CHICAGO, IL

The beloved Chicago Thanksgiving Parade returns for its 91st year on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST, traveling north along Chicago’s iconic State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. This free, family-friendly holiday tradition promises a spectacular morning of floats, marching bands, cultural performances, equestrian units, and more — all brought to life by local, national, and international talent.

Featured Performances & Cultural Ensembles

From 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., the parade features live performances from a dazzling roster of ensembles, including ArtEast Studio, Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos, Black Ensemble Theaters’ Holiday Extravaganza, Chicago Huaxing Arts Group, Chicago Korean Dance Company, Dong Fang Chinese Performing Arts Association, Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago, Lucid Legacy Dance LLC, Music Theater Works, Renacer Boliviano, Shirlzar Dance Company, TACEY, The Chicago Chorus Girl Project and the Wu Zhi Lin Performing Arts Association.

Marching Bands

Marching bands from across the nation and around the world bring rhythm and color to State Street, including Back of the Yards College Preparatory, Derby High School, Kelly College Prep, Lake Zurich High School, Madisonville High School, Marist High School, North Vermillion Jr./Sr. High School, Oak Grove High School, Santa Maria High School, South Gwinnett High School, Thornwood High School, Titanes Banda de Marcha, TL Hanna High School, Urban Renewal Marching Band, Valders High School, Venados Banda de Marcha, Warren Easton Charter High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School.

For the first time in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, the Titanes Banda de Marcha and Venados Banda de Marcha join the lineup from Mexico.

Festive Floats & Cultural Groups

Crowd-favorite floats and cultural organizations include La Casa de la Cultura Guatemalteca en Chicago, Aloha Center Chicago, Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association, MOOvers Chicago Inc., Pathway to Adventure Council, and the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago.

Specialty Units

Adding flair and excitement, specialty acts include 501st Legion Midwest Garrison, Ballet Folklorico Yolotzin, Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, Chicago Spirit Brigade, Chicago Swordplay Guild, CirquesExperience, Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Divadance Chicago, Dude Wipes, Elite Striders Drill Team & Drum Corps, Jesse White Tumbling Team, Michigan City Soul Steppers Drill Team, Mobile Azalea Trail Maids, Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance, Renacer Boliviano, St. Paul Winter Carnival, Team Shockwave, The Unicycling Society of America, Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers, and the Windy City Ghostbusters.

Equestrian Units

Majestic equestrian groups will trot down State Street in full regalia, including Bertrand’s Miniature Horses, Herder Holiday Horses, Ogle County 4-H Horse Drill Team, Rancho El Consuelo: Los Camperitos de Beecher, Ray of Hope Riders, and SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program.

Hosts & Special Guests

This year’s live broadcast will be co-hosted by beloved iHeartRadio Rock 95.5 personalities Maria Palmer and Maris, continuing the parade’s strong partnership with iHeartMedia. A special visitor from the North Pole will delight children and families along the route. Featured guests include 2025 Miss Illinois Nitsaniyah Fitch, Miss Illinois’ Teen Lillie Brown, and Rick Aspen.

Viewing Information & VIP Access

Best viewing locations include: near Randolph Street for finale floats and balloons, State & Washington for great views, and mid-route in front of the performance zone for live segments. VIP seating is available for $80, offering premium stage views. Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.ChicagoThanksgivingParade.com.

Live Stream & Broadcast

Pluto TV will stream the parade live in its Holiday section, broadcasting to audiences across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Pluto TV — a pioneer in free, ad-supported streaming — will help share this iconic Chicago tradition worldwide.

CBS Chicago will carry the broadcast live in its entirety across Chicagoland!

Why You Can’t Miss It

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade remains a symbol of unity and gratitude. It celebrates Chicago’s cultural mosaic, showcasing stories that reflect the city’s heart and heritage. Hundreds of volunteers make this three-hour extravaganza possible — proving once again that this is truly where grateful hearts gather.

Connect & Follow

Stay up to date on announcements, lineup, and VIP opportunities:

Website: www.ChicagoThanksgivingParade.com

Facebook: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Instagram: @ChiThanksgivingParade

X/Twitter: @ChiThanksgiving

Special Thanks

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Foundation extends its gratitude to the 2025 partners: CD One Price Cleaners, DUDE Wipes, HI Chicago, Jewel-Osco, Kinsale Contracting, Mercedes-Benz of Chicago, Ozinga, Pluto TV, Raising Cane’s, iHeart Radio – Rock 95.5, Setna iO, The Godfrey Hotel and WorldStrides OnStage.

What is Christmas Is Not Cancelled?

Throughout our leadup to the parade as well as during the parade broadcast, you are going to hear a lot about Christmas is Not Cancelled. It’s about purchasing toys for children in need, and they partner directly with Childhelp, Toys for Tots, and Project Orphans.

The concept is pretty simple, with the results being extraordinary.

When you contribute to Christmas is Not Cancelled, the organization purchases toys which are given to children in need. While doing so, you earn entries into sweepstakes. The prizes are amazing (which we’ll mention in a second), and we do have to say our favorite in the Thanksgiving Parade Experience!

The organization is able to make the toy purchases in bulk – allowing Christmas in Not Cancelled to provide children of all ages with toys and books. Their bulk purchasing power means they’re able to buy more toys than you or I could buy for the same amount of money, meaning our contributions go a longer way here than on our own! In just over two-and-a-half years, they have achieved over $1 million in giving impact.

Ale Boggiano and Jen Lilley decorating a Christmas Tree

Ale Boggiano (left) and Jen Lilley (right)

Jen Lilley, host of this year’s parade , and Ale Boggiano came together to form Christmas is Not Cancelled after coming to the conclusion that the charitable fundraising model is broken and outdated. Non-profits have limited budgets and lots to accomplish.

“I am beyond thrilled to be hosting the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade and Christmas Is Not Cancelled, Inc is honored to partner with such an incredible event steeped in rich history and tradition,” stated Jen Lilley. “We love the wonderful people of Chicago and all across the United States who are helping provide gifts to children who need them most this holiday season so that Christmas Is Not Cancelled! And who knows, maybe someone from the great city of Chicago will win the Ultimate Christmas by helping our mission!”

Christmas is Not Cancelled has become a series of giving campaigns featuring family-friendly celebrities and community building. The, along with a community of world changers, come together to spread Christmas cheer all year long.

“Our goal is to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for all ! We do this by bringing joy to people at home during the holidays through our Christmas University program and by giving amazing toys to children in need so we can make their Christmas special. This year we have a goal of 25,000 toys going to Toys for Tots, Childhelp and Project Orphans,” stated Ale Boggiano.

They hold two fundraisers during the year to build community and keep the program going. They have tangible goals (backpacks with school supplies during Camp Christmas and toys during Christmas University) and give 10% of the price of these programs (as well as all of the merchandise donated) to the non-profits listed above.

Some of the prizes (and when you can win them) include:

Thanksgiving Experience
Win the chance to join Jesse Hutch and Jen Lilley in Chicago as they host the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. VIP tickets, premium seating, 2 nights at a premium hotel, $500 airfare credit
Entry Period: October 30 – November 5
Christmas in the Desert
Enter to win a 2-night stay at the luxurious Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona, AZ, breakfast with Cindy Busby, and a $500 airfare credit
Entry Period: November 6 – 12
Christmas in the South
Win a Stay at the Cheerful Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, TN, including Dinner with Danica McKellar and Jen Lilly, and a $500 airfar credit
Entry Period: November 20 – 26

To find out more information and all of the sweepstakes rules, visit ChristmasIsNotCancelled.com. You can also find out more Digital Interactive Celebrity Experiences and Christmas Themed Classes, themed merchandise, and much more!

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